About

Matina Jewell

Life-changing perspective
from the front-line

Matina Jewell

Life-changing perspective from the front line

Major Matina Jewell (Retired) CSP is an inspirational trailblazer, helping leaders build resilient teams to thrive through change.

Recognised in the 2018 ‘Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence’ Awards, Matina is also a Telstra Business Awards Finalist, and named by CPA Australia as a ‘Top-10 smart thinker’.

Among many honorary roles, Matina is a founding ambassador for Project Thankful, a movement partnered with the United Nations to help empower women and children globally.

Matina will be a 2018 Archibald prize entrant.

Her incredible life story has been optioned for a global feature film.

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'In-Their-Words" contribution for Australian War Memorial by Matina Jewell

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A Military Trailblazer

Major Matina Jewell (Retired) CSP grew up in the hinterland of Byron Bay and joined the Army at age 17.  During her 15 year military career, Matina:

  • Served on five missions and earned eight war medals
  • Became only Australian to receive two Republic of Lebanon war medals for bravery on the battlefield and wounded in combat
  • At 23yo, was appointed Officer in Command of the Army Department and Diving Officer for HMAS Kanimbla, then Australia’s largest Navy ship
  • Was the first woman in the Australian Army to complete the physically demanding ‘Navy Diver’ course
  • Worked with the elite SAS and American Navy Seals
  • Tracked-down militia leaders in the Solomon Islands
  • Fast-roped from helicopters
  • Boarded smuggler ships in the Arabian Gulf
  • Trained in three languages (Bahasa Indonesian, Arabic and English)
  • Gained her Masters in Project Management
  • Was selected as a Peacekeeper with the United Nations in Syria and Lebanon

     

A Change Champion

Since being medically retired, Matina has campaigned for change for veterans and others in need through numerous honorary and advisory roles, including:

  • Prime Ministerial Advisory Council
  • National Mental Health Forum
  • ANZAC Centenary Commission, alongside former Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and the late Malcolm Fraser
  • National Suicide Prevention Commission Advisor
  • Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project – Ambassador

Other proud achievements include:

  • 2018 – AFR 100 Women of Influence Awards Finalist
  • 2017 – Certified Speaking Professional (international designation)
  • 2016 – Telstra Business Awards Finalist
  • 2015 – CPA Australia ‘Top-10 smart thinker’
  • ABC’s ‘Australian Story’ and ‘I Survived…’ documentaries
  • Best-selling author of Caught in the Crossfire
  • Proud mum, with two busy young girls
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ABC Australian Story Documentary – The Blue Beret (Parts I & II)

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Foxtel ‘I Survived’ Documentary

Awards

AFR 100 Women of Influence Awards
Finalist 2018

AFR 100 Women of Influence Awards Finalist 2018

The Australian Financial Review (AFR) 100 Women of Influence Awards identifies Australian women championing change in business and society, and those who have dedicated their time and energy to help and encourage other women fighting for change every day.

Professional Speakers Australia
Certified Speaking Professional 2017

Professional Speakers Australia Certified Speaking Professional 2017

Matina was awarded Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) accreditation by the Professional Speakers Association Australia in 2017, being recognised internationally as a professional speaker of the highest standard.

Telstra Business Women’s Awards
Finalist 2016

Telstra Business Women’s Awards Finalist 2016

The Telstra Business Women’s Awards recognises outstanding women and celebrates those doing business differently, redefining the conversation on female leadership at all levels of business.

CPA Australia ‘Top 10 Smart Thinker’
who shaped 2015

CPA Australia 'Top 10 Thinker' 2015

CPA Australia, one of the world's largest accounting bodies, featured Matina Jewell as one of the 'Top 10 smart thinkers who shaped 2015'.

Honorary Roles

Project Thankful
Ambassador

Project Thankful Founding Ambassador

Matina is a founding ambassador for Project Thankful, a movement to encourage all of us to reflect on how the everyday can be extraordinary. Thankful® is partnered with the United Nations for the empowerment and cessation of violence against women and children, globally.

Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project
Ambassador

Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project Ambassador

The Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project was established to raise funds to construct the memorial honouring the service, courage and sacrifice of Australian peacekeepers in the service of international peace and security. The memorial opened in Canberra on 14th September 2017, the 70th anniversary of Australia’s involvement in UN Peacekeeping Missions.

ANZAC Centenary
Commissioner

ANZAC Spirit - ANZAC Centenary Commissioner

Matina provided advice to the Prime Minister and Government as one of the six-member ANZAC Centenary Commission, which included former Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and the late Malcolm Fraser, on how to best commemorate arguably one of the most important milestones in our young Nation's history - The ANZAC Centenary from 2014 to 2018.

Recent Activity

MatinaJewell avatarMatina Jewell@MatinaJewell·
15 Apr

Thrilled 2be able to share the final piece! Neil Hazelman’s bark portrait painting of me that has been entered into Archibald Prize The most magical moments happen in our lives when we least expect them & when we’re surrounded by people who dare to dream big #archibald #thankful

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MatinaJewell avatarMatina Jewell@MatinaJewell·
14 Apr

Honored to address why Anzac Day is important & to share the story of one of our unsung Anzac heroes Stan Savige at Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar. After service in WWI & WWII Savige went on to found @LegacyAust & was knighted in 1950 #LestWeForget #AnzacDay2019 @AWMemorial @DVAAus

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Retweet on TwitterMatina Jewell Retweeted
AWMemorial avatarAust War Memorial@AWMemorial·
9 Apr

#OnThisDay in 1941 the 6th Australian Division engaged the Germans in Greece. The Greek campaign resulted in heavy losses to the 6th Australian Division and ultimately an evacuation of Allied forces from beaches in southern Greece.

To read more: https://t.co/KEwUgUmAXm

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